December Clay Club at The Village Potters
December Clay Club will be at The Village Potters in Asheville next Wednesday, December 11th at 6:15 (note that we're starting 15 minutes later than usual - if you arrive early and they're not quite ready, you're welcome to browse the gallery). Thanks to Lori Theriault and all of The Village Potters for hosting us!
We'll have our traditional December mug/cup/object exchange. If you haven’t been before, here are the details of the exchange, as explained by John Britt:
"The Cup Exchange doesn't have to be a cup but more like any "object" , so think creatively about what you have laying around. Just something to swap. You could even bring an old used shitty cup from the cupboard as long as it is a Hamada made it.”
We'll have our usual potluck, so bring food to share. Clay Club is BYOB, so bring drink, too.
The Village Potters are located at Riverview Station in Asheville’s River Arts District at:
191 Lyman Street, #180
Asheville, NC 28801
Directions available here: thevillagepotters.com/where-to-find-us/
Carpooling: if you’re interested in carpooling, you can leave a comment here on this blog post or on this facebook post, or let me know and I will put folks in touch.
See you next Wednesday!
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Widely recognized as one of the most influential potters of the 20th century, Shoji Hamada began his formal instruction in Japan and then spent three formative years working with Bernard Leach at his pottery in Cornwall. The friendship and professional relationship between the two men was to continue for the rest of their lives, and the revival of the traditional pottery of both England and Japan, and their resulting influence on each other, was a defining moment in the history of ceramic art. Hamada was instrumental in developing the Mingei movement, the return to the essentials of art which rely on local materials and inspiration flowing from within the potter to his hands. Along with the return to art essentials is the return to lifestyle essentials – producing those things you need and living simply with the earth. The pottery Hamada founded in Mashiko and his personal life were the embodiment of this philosophy. Those who witnessed the quiet, unassuming potter at work were as struck by his serenity and his oneness with his work as they were by the stunning pieces which he produced. Although Hamada did not seek fame, he was well-recognized in his lifetime, being named a “Living National Treasure” by the Japanese Government as well as receiving honorary doctorates and other awards, and the major museums count his pieces as important parts of their collections.
From: https://asuartmuseum.asu.edu/sites/default/files/hamada_shoji_biography.pdf